Father says 2-year-old son is OK after shooting himself with flare gun in NW Miami-Dade - WSVN 7News

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A father is providing an update on his son’s condition after the toddler was injured accidentally shot himself with a flare gun in northwest Miami-Dade.

As of Friday afternoon, 2-year-old Justin remains in the hospital after suffering injuries to his finger and burns to his chest.

Justin’s father, Lazaro Perez Hernandez, said the child was fine and recalled the moment he heard the flare gun.

“At that moment I was very scared, but thank God there was nothing serious, and thank God the child is doing well and that’s what’s important,” Perez Hernandez said.

The incident happened Thursday on Northwest 32nd Avenue near 103 Street.

Once Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived on scene and located the child, he was flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.

The loud flare gun shot was captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera.

According to Justin’s grandfather, Raul, the child was in the backyard while his father was cleaning the family’s boat before the incident occurred. The 2-year-old got hold of the flare gun that was part of the boat’s safety equipment before accidentally setting it off.

“I don’t know at what point it happened,” Perez Hernandez said. “He opened a cupboard, went in and I felt something, I turned around and saw everything.”

On Friday. The Florida Department of Children and Families arrived at the home, where they visited for about 20 minutes.

Although his son is doing well, Perez-Hernandez warns other parents to keep an eye on their children.

“Be very careful, be very careful with that kind of thing and keep it away from them,” he said.

Perez Hernandez will not face charges and Miami-Dade police said the incident was ruled an accident and there was no negligence. They added that because the flare gun is considered an incendiary device, the criteria for storing a firearm do not apply.

Justin’s family told 7News he is expected to be released from the hospital Friday evening or early Saturday morning.